Monday, January 4, 2016 -Gilles-Eric Séralini recently released a copy of his new paper examining the adjuvants used in Roundup formulations. The paper, called Ethoxylated Adjuvants of Glyphosate-based Herbicides are Active Principles in Human Cell Toxicity, was published in Toxicology Magazine and compares the toxicology and composition of nine Roundup formulations using different human cell lines. The study shows that glyphosate-based herbicides pose an environmental and occupational risk for humans, including for farmers and others who spray the products.

According to Seralini, “There are several hidden toxic compounds in Roundup that are far, far more toxic than glyphosate, but they have not been tested in long-term studies like glyphosate — that means for two years with a rat.”

Adjuvants are used to enhance the efficacy of the main ingredient. For example, surfactants, an essential component of glyphosate formulations, are routinely added to herbicide formulations to break down the waxy coating on plants and allow for efficient absorption. It’s well documented that formulations of glyphosate, whether it’s Roundup or Touchdown or any other generic…are extremely toxic to amphibians.

Responding to Séralini’s claims, a Monsanto spokesperson said glyphosate has an excellent human health record and a history of safe use in more than 130 countries. Even if that were true, it fails to take into consideration the fact that glyphosate isn’t the only chemical in Roundup. Glyphosate comprises only 15% of the chemicals in Roundup.

Séralini recommended that longer-term studies be used to measure the potential toxic effects of the entire formulations rather than just the glyphosate content.